Conscious Travel - A Ripple Effect That Continues After Your Visit to Rwanda
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Every great story is made up of many smaller ones.
Ross Couper (Singita’s Resident Content Creator) chats to Martin Tuyisenge (Singita’s Community Liaison Manager) about the ripple effect of every guest’s stay on local livelihoods and conservation at Singita Kwitonda and Kataza House.
Rwanda is truly a bucket list destination, for gorillas, golden monkeys, the food, and culture. But what really captures your heart is the spirit of its people. This is where Martin’s work comes in - as the Community Liaison Manager, he leads projects across six nearby villages, benefiting nearly 5,500 people. 18 years on - from schoolteacher to park ranger – he’s found his passion.
Ross and Martin discuss some of the long-lasting community projects, made possible by Singita guests.
Some highlights:
- Rainwater tanks for 84 households and three schools
- Upgrading volleyball and basketball pitches for young people
- Supporting a chicken farming cooperative – contributing 800 chicks, a coup and training
- Training a dance troupe (35 people) to celebrate traditional song and dance, while creating new income
- Singita Community Culinary School – empowering students through culinary training. 23 students employed at Singita
- Annual donation of a fully furnished house and two cows to a local family
- Reforestation efforts – transforming ex-farmland to a thriving buffer zone, seeing wildlife returning
- Providing access to health insurance for 2,571 people
- Since 2005, every gorilla trek in Rwanda contributes 10% to communities, as well as a new tourism levy introduced in 2025.
This is a ripple that continues outwards long after a Singita guest leaves Rwanda. Tune in to explore how ecotourism has the power to change lives — far beyond one gorilla trek.
Ross Couper (Singita’s Resident Content Creator) chats to Martin Tuyisenge (Singita’s Community Liaison Manager) about the ripple effect of every guest’s stay on local livelihoods and conservation at Singita Kwitonda and Kataza House.
Rwanda is truly a bucket list destination, for gorillas, golden monkeys, the food, and culture. But what really captures your heart is the spirit of its people. This is where Martin’s work comes in - as the Community Liaison Manager, he leads projects across six nearby villages, benefiting nearly 5,500 people. 18 years on - from schoolteacher to park ranger – he’s found his passion.
Ross and Martin discuss some of the long-lasting community projects, made possible by Singita guests.
Some highlights:
- Rainwater tanks for 84 households and three schools
- Upgrading volleyball and basketball pitches for young people
- Supporting a chicken farming cooperative – contributing 800 chicks, a coup and training
- Training a dance troupe (35 people) to celebrate traditional song and dance, while creating new income
- Singita Community Culinary School – empowering students through culinary training. 23 students employed at Singita
- Annual donation of a fully furnished house and two cows to a local family
- Reforestation efforts – transforming ex-farmland to a thriving buffer zone, seeing wildlife returning
- Providing access to health insurance for 2,571 people
- Since 2005, every gorilla trek in Rwanda contributes 10% to communities, as well as a new tourism levy introduced in 2025.
This is a ripple that continues outwards long after a Singita guest leaves Rwanda. Tune in to explore how ecotourism has the power to change lives — far beyond one gorilla trek.
Chapters
- 00:02 Introduction to Safari Conversations
- 01:58 Martin's background and conservation journey
- 03:30 The three focus areas of community partnership work
- 06:16 Tourism's impact on local communities
- 08:51 Sports and economic development projects
- 12:37 Wildlife and tourism cooperative initiatives
- 15:42 Singita Community Culinary School and employment opportunities
- 17:34 Housing donations and healthcare support
- 20:57 Reforestation and conservation success
- 24:59 Closing remarks on tourism's positive impact
